Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 286, Decatur, Adams County, 6 December 1922 — Page 1

Volume XX. Number 286

HOUSE AND BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE

BERNE MEN ARRESTED ON CHARGE OFJBOOTLEGGING Hosea Edward Martz, blacksmith, of Herne, and I‘lavius Billman, a Berne youth, were arrested by Sheriff Noah Frauhi-ier. ol Wells county, about one-half mile east of Bluffton, at 6:15 o'clock yesterday evening, after fifteen quarts of moonshine whiskey had been found in their automobile. Martz pleaded guilty when arraigned in the city court last night and was lined $l5O and sentenced to 90 days on the state penal farm. Billman pleaded not guilty and is being held in the Wells county jail. The Wells county authorities ' *

had been informed that Martz had been delivering liquor to various persons in Bluffton. Yesterday was pay day at the Bay Piano factory and the sheriff was informed that a quantity of liquor was to be delivered byMartz last night. Traced From Berne. Sheriff Frguhiger. accompanied by Jesse Ellenberger, went to Berne early yesterday evening, and located Martz and Billman and when they left Berne, the sheriff and his partner followed them. The two men took a round about route instead of going the usual route from Berne to Bluffton. When they had reached a point about one-half mile east of the Bluffton city limits, the sheriff and Mr. Ellenberger stopped them and searched their car. Three Counts Against Martz There were three counts to the charge filed against Martz, namely, having intoxicating liquor in his possession, having and selling intoxcating liquor in his possession with intent tc sell, and selling intoxicating liquor Martz pleaded guilty to all thre counts and was fined. Alter being questioned for some time, Martz told the officers that he did not manufacture the liquor himself, but that an old man living three miles west and one-half mile north ot Berne had made it. Sheriff Sephus Melchi, of Adams county, was notified a search of the premises mentioned was te be made. However, Martz later changed his story and told the officers that the still was located on his own premises in Berne. A search warrant was made oct and Sheriff .Melchi went to Berne this morning where he conducted a search ot Martz's home. Word from Bluffton this afternoon slated that Billman had been placed under a SI,OOO bond, and since he was unable to furnish the bond he is still being held in the county jail. Sheriff Melchi made a thorough search of the premises of Martz’s blacksmith shop and his home, but could find no traces of a still or any evidence of the manufacture of liquor. Say Jesse Strain Attempted Suicide Muncie, Ind., Dec. 6 —Jesse Strain. 25, who was found wounded near an outbuilding in South Muncie recent ly and is in a serious condition at a hospital, attempted suicide and was not shot by his wife as she eloped with another man, police said today. A gun with one cartridge exploded was found near the spot and powder burns were on the man's coat Strain said his wife shot him when she ran away with another man. but she has returned home and the couple is reconciled.

BOXES FOR GOOD TOMORROW READY FOR CONTRIBUTORS TOMORK

Christmas is just as happy as w ■ ntako it. The organization of a Good Fellows Club in Decatur is to assure that every child and every needy person can be merry along with those more fortunate. If we all give a little we won’t miss it, and think of the joy of tlie poor lad who wakes up Christmas, morn to find that old Santa has come down the chimney and brought him a sled or p drum or the little girl who finds her dream of years come true a doll with real hair. It’s easy to become a member of the Good Fellow Club. Drop a piece of money or as much as you feel you can afford in an envelope at Fisher & Harris grocery. Old Adams County Hank, Lose Bros. Cigar Store, or the Democrat office, write your name on the back of the envelope and place it

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

REPORT MERCER OF RAILROADS Clover Leaf Line Said Tc Be Included In Deal Os Cleveland, ()., Man That the Toledo. St. Louis & West ern Railroad line may be consolidated with two other large lines, is the report coming from Cleveland, Ohio. The following account of the proposed merger, is taken from the Toledo, O. News-Bee: Cleveland. Dec. s.—Another Janies J. Hill is rising in the middle west— Oris I*. Van Sweringen, a quiet-man nered, unassuming young bachelor, with matinee-idol hair and pinkish complexion. His latest coup is the reported cor. solidation of three middle west railroads into one of the longest system —the New York. Chicago & St. Louis the Lake Erie & Western and the To ledo, St. Louis & Western, it give to this man of 41 the control of approximately 1,725 miles of trail, through highly developed industrial territory. r Another of his maneuvers in his as piration to become a national railroad I' power is the projected new' union sti I tion for Cleveland, involving an expenI diture estimated at $60,000,000 to SBO, i, 000,000. I This station project is a big link in j Van Swerlngen's rise to railroad sr. ■ premacy. Born On Farm. Van Sweringen was born on a farm His parents wer e neither poor not rich. At 14 he became a clerk in a Cleveland office. He held that jot i until 21. Then he and his brother Mantis J., decided to enter the real estate business together. One day they went out to Shakt > Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, then a thinly wooded expanse of vacan land formerly occupied by a colony o. Shakers. | “We became convinced that it could be made into a fine residence sec- ' tion.” Van Sweringen tells. | In recent testimony before the in- ■ terstate commerce commission \an i Sweringen told how the I nion Station project grew’ out of that. Needed Capital. ' What Van Sweringen needed wti: capital. Financiers told him the land 1 was too far from the city and besides ' that there were no street car lines. ’ | He persuaded the Cleveland trac- ‘ tion system to extend a line into the northern part of Shaker Heights. But 1 the company refused to go into the 1 southern part. (Continued on pag£ h v|,> ......

in the strong box found at any one of those places. If you prefer you can send your contribution to Miss Leona Hoose, chairman. A slight delay in getting the cards and envelopes ready postponed Hie placing of the boxes a day but they will be all ready for you tomorrow. ’Th., Delta Theta Tau has star’od the r „nd off with $25.00. It is hoped that other organizations join the movement , and subscribe to the fund and that 'each citizen gives as liberally as pos (sjble The more money the happtet , th( . day. Some are saying that the .! efforts along this line will over ap. ■ Well, suppose they do and that a lew children get an extra gilt- 11 * bittu J than that one is missed. Howowi , I every effort to avoid this will be made, i Join the dub. Be a "Good Fellow. t Help make it a Merry Christmas.

CLERK ADDED ST P, 0, HERE DURING RUSH Jerome Bosse Employed To Assist In Local Postoffice Christmas REDEEM W. S. STAMPS Many People Exchanging Them For Treasury Certificates Also Jerome Bosse, son of former Postmaster J. W. Bosse, has been employed as the extra clerk at the Decatur postoffice during the Christmas rush. He will begin work the week before Christmas. Postmaster Harry Fritzinger stated that local people were all ready send ing Christmas packages and that par cels have been sent from Decatur to places in China, Germany, Poland and other far off foreign countries. Several Decatur ami Adams county people are located in countries in China as missionaries and of course the folks back home remember them with presents at Christmas time. The Christmas rush grows heavier each year, the custom of mailing greeting cards becoming more prevalent each year, while the parcels post business grows steadily each Christmas. Redeeming W. S. Stamps. Postmaster Fritzinger stated that he was sending to the treasury depart ment approximately SI,OOO worth of War Savings Stamps every day, they to be redeemed January 1. Those who do not want to trade them in for treasury certificates will receive a cheek in fuLL 4>a-ff»*iWt. ,roStt th,! Fe<1 ’ oral Reserve Bank. Chicago, for the stamps. The stamps now have a par value of $5.00 each and should be turned over to the local postmaster for redemption. The local postoffice officials will greatly appreciate it if the j owners of W. S. Stamps will bring the stamps to the postofflee immediately so that they can be sent in and the detail matters disposed of before th< Christmas rush of mail begins. If you have a few of the stamps take them to the postoffice, get a receipt and within a short time you'll get your check or certificate from the Federal Reserve Bank. _ • Conductor Os Death Car Loses His Mind Muncie, Ind., Dee. 6.—Unable to work for the last ten years, because [of mental affliction. Bepjamin Cart well was placed in the county jail here today until arrangements can be made to place him in a state institu tion. Cartwell was conductor on the Indiana Union Traction car ten years ago which collided with a Wabash | Valley car near Kingsland. Ind., and forty-two persons were killed. The shock of the disaster is said to have shattered his reason permanently. LICENSE PLATES READYONDEC.I2 New Automobile License Plates To Be Issued In Decatur This Year The 1923 automobile license plates will I o ready on Tuesday, December l-> at the Schaler Hardware com p-i'ny’s store, according Io information received by the Daily Democrat today from the Hoosier State Automobile i Association. It will be easier to read the numbers on the new plates as Hiey are white on a brown background and are arranged in groups of threes : with a dash between each group. Sufficient plates have been received ■ here to take care of the demand. A ■ stenographer will be placed in the Schafer company’s store to issue the license plates and do notary work, but so far no one has been named. - Each automobile owner must pres- , ( mt personally his certificats of title ■ before any license plate can be obtained.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening’, December 6, 1922.

Thirty-Four Inmates At Adams County Infirmary The number of inmates at the conn ty infirmary on December 1 was 34. according to the report made by Superintendent Harry P. LaFountain. One person was admitted during the month of November and one person died at the infirmary during the month. The monthly report of the superintendent was , filed with the county commissioners yesterday and was approved. NO CHANGE IN ELECTION BY VOTE RECOUNT Mrs. Bowen And Mr. Bollenbacher Declared Elected To Office Os Trustee MAJORITIES LARGER Recount Showed Many Irregularities In Count Os The Election Boards / —. ST. MARY’S TOWNSHIP Susie R. Bowen, Rep 218 Wilson Gulick, Dem 201 Mrs. Bowen's majority 17 (Former majority six) JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP Jessie A. Suckrnastec, Reo 188 i John M. Bollenbacher, Dem. .192 Mr. Bollenbacher's majority ... 4 (Former majority two). At 2:35 this afternoon the board «»i‘ j county commissioners, sitting as the , court in the recount of the ballots in St. Marys and Jefferson townships in the election of a trustee in each o< the two townships, announced through County Attorney Henry Heller, the above vote in the two election con tests and declared Mrs. Susie R. Bowen. republican, trustee-elect of St. Marys township, and John M. Bollen bacher, democrat, tri-stoes-elect of Jefferson township. The commissioner's findings, although changing the totals in the vote in both of th- townships, did not change the results, the final election (Continued on page six) BERNE TO I’DLO ELECTION SOON I — Citizens To Vote On Matter Os Proposed New Water Works Plant Notice was given today to the qualified voters of Hie town of Berne, that a general election will be held that town on Thursday. December 28. for the purpose of taking a vole upon the ■ policy of electing and constructing u| Water Works Plant in Berne. The maximum cost of the proposed plant will not exceed $45,600 it is i stated. The Board of Trustees ol j Berne adopted an ordinance on De (•ember 4, to build a water works I plant. The town is badly in need of a more suitable water system and the action taken by the town trustees is generally considered as a step in the right direction, it is said. The polls for the election on December 28 will be open from 6 a. m. until 6 p. m. .;■ + + + .> + + + + ++ + + + ♦ ♦ WEATHER + * + + 4. + + +-1- + ++ + * + «■ Fair tonight; somewhat warmer in south portion; Thursday increasing ' cl out! 1 nees; warmer in south portion. . g DAYS TO

FARM BUREAU i AIDS FARMER MARKETING

It Establishes Commission Firms In Large Cities To Handle Livestock LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS S. C. Rupert, Manager Os Shipping Association, Located At Monroe One of the greatest aqeomplishments of the farm bureau during the past few months has been the estab-1 lishment of livestock shipping asso | elutions and commission firms at the terminal markets. For a long while the farmers have failed to realize why | they should turn their products over I to middlemen.afteriapendtag theirltinie and money to produce them. Accordingly, they have demanded that some system be organized whereby they can market their own products and obtain the profits which otherwise go to those who have no part in their production and in some cases have nevcj seen a farm. It has long been known that it is a simple matter for commission firms and packers and other buyers at terminal markets tc have agreements which will be profitable sot them at the expense of the farmers who produced the stock. Shipping Point At Monroe The farm bureau has taken the inat-i ter in hand and formed a system ■whereby the livestock never leave? the supervision of tile farmer or his representatives until bought by th? packers or butchers. The' first step ■in the system has been the establish Intent of local shipping associations | made up of and managed by the fam’. era themselves. An association of this ! iiatnte lias been doing business al Monroe with W. T. Rupert as local manager. The livestock is taken i'.i and loaded by the local manager alter being marked individually so that each shipper may receive just what his stock brings at the terminal market. The freight and cost ot loading are pro-rated to the shippers according to weight and a sinking fund takes care of any hogs which may become crippled or may die in transi.. By this system the consignor receive the market price at the terminal mar ket, minus the actual cost of shipping thus eliminating any unnecessary : profits. He also does it with no risk | whatever of losing any ot his stock. Establish Commission Firms Since their establishment, these loI cal shipping associations have ex I perienced difficulty in getting good' i weights and accomodations from the, | commission firms and accordingly the] farm bureau has established commisI slon firms of their own at the principal markets. The firms are under the di (Continued on page five) MODERN WOODMEN INITIATEDA CLASS -— District Deputy From Fori Wayne Here To Conduct Membership Drive E. B. Sturm, district deputy of the Modern Woodmen of America from Ft. Wayne, lias been conducting a mem bersliip drive in Decatur during lite (last two weeks. Al a meeting held in the lodge rooms last night a class of (our candidates was initiated and jon next Tuesday night another class. ! consisting of about ten candidat'» will lie held and a feed and smoker .ill be given. The local Woodmen’s lodge has a i membership of a little more titan one hundred at present, but with the cooperation of those members, ii is hoped that tlie membership will be doubled. Mr. Sturm expects to devote most of hts time for the remainder of tills month in this city in the intere of tlie lodge. Henry Thomas is consul, of the local lodge at present, and Fred Kolter, is clerk.

BIG LOSS IN FIRE EAST OF CITY THIS MORNING

A five room house belonging to Henry Krick and a large barn belonging to Edwart Pelt, two miles east of Decatur, were destroyed by fire of undetermined origin, about 1(1 o'clock this morning. Most of the contents of the house and the entire contents of the barn including one horse, were destroyed. Insurance amounting to SI,OOO was carried on the house and contents and a small amount of insurance was carried on the barn and contents.

CITY CODNCIL HELD SESSION - Authorize Issuing Improvement Bonds; Treasurer Reports A Balance The few routine business matters were disposed of In quick order at the regular meeting of the city council held last evening, including the readin of the minutes and the passing of a resolution authorizing ths issuing ot $271.61 in improvement bends in the i matter of Mary Reekord sewer imI provement. property owners along the improvement having signed waivers to 1 thia amount. The report of City Treasurer Flora I Kinzle was filed and referred to the finance committee. Although the city power and water plant has been at j a heavy expense during the past six months, due to the increase in coal prices, it was understood that the treasury had a balance and that tlie plant was being operated at a small profi A communication from the Hartford Steam Boiler company relative to inspection and insurance of the boilers and equipment at the city plant was read and referred to the finance com mittee. A motion was made and <miy seconded instructing Chief of Police. I Joel Reynolds, to give notice to those! concerned or liable to til) in the big i hole on Jefferson street, along side of { the old Carroll warehouse caused by | the removal of the scales, which were sold to Dynois Schmitt. Tim city attorney was instructed to notify the Chicago and Erie railroad tc repair its crossing on Line street. The board of finance was called into session and a motion made authorizing! the city treasurer to advertise for bidsl for receiving the city’s funds and acting as a depository, bids to be received tit the next regular meeting. At present tlie city funds are pra|rated among the three Decatur banks. The finance committee allowed th? ; following bills anti the meeting adjourned. The councilmen then spent an hour or two in discussing the problems and necessities of the city, their 1 aim and purpose being, how they could j best serve the city and the public. Stepler Bros., $346.08; Orval Harinff, $67.30; T. J. Durkin. $10.00; 'citizens ’Phone Co.. $11.50; City Treasurer, $66.46; F. J. Schmitt. $58.33; Police pay roll, $105.00; St. Commissioners nay roll, $187.50; Smith. Yager & Falk. $13.75; Sauer -& Musser. $10.50; P. J. Hyland, $13.■O4; Volunteer Firemen, $10.00; Citv Firemen, $145.00; D. F. Teeple. $2.44, James Elberson, $20.90; Sanitary Supply Co.. $35.40; Oarlock Packing Co.. $51.73; Smitley & Bauman. sl3. | 100; Electric Light pay toll, $269.20; I August Walters, $1.50; Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply Co.. $5.79; Protective Elec. i Supply Co., $91.29; P. J. Hylapd, $5.25; Boss Foundry & Mach. Co., $21.50 Meyers & Lenhart, $11.60; Triangle j Coal & Coke Co., $222.60; National I Mill & Supply Co.. $132.37; Carroll I Coke & Coal Co., $205.60; Mann Elec. Co., $13.37; Line Material Co.. $14.53, American Ry. Exp. Co., $2.52; Citi zens Rhone Co.. $10.30; D. F. Teeple, $50.11; City Plant pay roll, $488.20; Smith. Yager & Falk, $70.45; Erdman Fuel Eng. Co., $400.00; P. J. Hyland, $2.17; August Walters. 65c; Bourbon ■ Copper Brass Co., $11.75; D. F. ■ Teeple. $9.09, American Ry. Exp. Co. $3.42; Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply Co.. | $3.24; Ft. Wayne Water Works, $70.00; City Plant pay roll, $12.00; H. I Mueller Mfg. Co., $22.04; Water Dept, pay roll, $118.33; T. J. Durkin, $19.26.

Price 2 Cents

The barn and house were situated about sixty rods apart. The barn caught fire first, and the blaze was discovered about 9 o’clock. Mr. Pelt was at work in a woods on the farm at the time, and is unable to tell how the fire originated. Mr. Pelt does not smoke and had had no fire about the building. Mr. Krick s house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Gav. Mr. Gay was at work in this city at the factory of the Decatur Fotyidry company. Mrs. Gay saw the Pelt barn on fire and taking her children with her, she ran to tlie fire. About 10 o’clock, it was discovered that the house occupied by the Guys was Bn fire. Since the barn was too far gone to save any of the contents, the neighbors rushed to the Gay home and ! succeeded in getting out a portion of the furniture. Fifty dollars which was in a purse in the pocket of a coat lying on a bed in the house was burned. Origin Os Fire Unknown While it is not known definitely how the ftre at the Gay home started, iit is the general supposition that sparks were carried from the barn and set fire to the roof of the house. However, a tire in an oil stove was left burning when Mrs. Gay left the house, and tlie theory that it might have exploded, ,is advanced by some people. The house was a story and a halt frame House with the dimensions of 24 by 32 feet. There was an addition to the house also. Mr. Krick, who 1 lives in this city, stated this after- | noon that he considered his loss after - the insurance was paid, to be about ! SI,OOO. There was a larger house and two barns near the house, bnt none of them caught fire. Tlie barns had steel roofs on them. The barn which was destroyed was about 30 by 60 feet with a shed addition. All of Mr. Pelt’s summer crops were stored in the barn, including his corn, hay and all of his farmI ing implements. The one horse which was burned, was a valuable animal. No other live stock was in the barn at the time of the fire. o BIRTH Marjory Louise is the name given to the twelve pound daughter born to Mr and Mrs. Joe Lose November 27. Mother and babe are getting along ‘ fine. Royal Arch Masons Elected Officers Royal Arch Masons, chapter 112. in regular session last evening, elected officers for the ensuing year to be installed January 2. They are L. C. I Helm, high priest; Cal E. Peterson, king; A. D. Suttles, scribe; W. P. Schrock, captain of hosts; C. C. Ernst, principal sojourner; Fred Elzey, Royal Arch captain; E. B. Adams, grand master first veil; B. D. Myers, second { veil, and Harry Fritzinger, third veil; Roy Archbold, secretary; C. A. Dugan, treasurer; Barney Kalver, guard. • —O — Nephew Os Local Lady Dies At Columbia City Word was received here this morning that Sum Dillman, :• nephew ot Mrs. John Bollinger, of this city, died suddenly at Ills home in Columbia City yesterday evening. Mi. Dillman visited relatives and friends in Decatur i several times and was acquainted with , several local people. No details coni cerning the death or funeral arrange- . ments have been received. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE Wheat: Dec. May $1.16’4: July SI.OB. Corn: Dec. 69%c; May, . 69%c; July 69%c. Oats; Dec. 42%c, May 42%c; July 40c.